Chapter 530

Yang Shiqi comforted him: "Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural laws; Your Majesty need not grieve so deeply."

Zhu Qizhen impulsively said: "Teacher, rest assured—I will ensure Yang Ji does not die."

After speaking, Zhu Qizhen felt regret and bit his lip unconsciously.

Yang Shiqi had watched the boy grow up and taught him himself; how could he not understand him?

Seeing him bite his lip, he knew he regretted it.

Yang Shiqi gently patted his handback and spoke softly: "Your Majesty, Yang Ji broke state law; if we overlook the law for personal sentiment, how shall we govern by law in the future?"

He suppressed the dull ache in his heart and forced a calm smile: "I know Your Majesty suppressed Yang Ji's case for my sake—but state law is state law. I beg Your Majesty to punish him according to the law."

Zhu Qizhen sighed, holding Yang Shiqi's hand without speaking.

Though he knew the Emperor might not listen, Yang Shiqi still gripped the Emperor's hand: "Your Majesty, Wang Zhen's greed is excessive; he cannot see the bigger picture, cannot be trusted deeply, and is unfit for great responsibility."

Zhu Qizhen frowned and asked: "Who, in your opinion, is fit for great responsibility in court?"

Yang Shiqi paused, then pretended not to notice his displeasure and whispered: "Zhou Chen and Kuang Zhong excel in economics; Your Majesty may assign them to the Ministry of Revenue or the provinces; Xue Xuan, Chen Mian, and Wang Ao are upright, incorruptible, and pure ministers; Your Majesty may entrust them with official discipline; in the military, there are Zhang Fu and Wang Ji—but they are old; Your Majesty must now cultivate new generals and commanders."

He said: "There is an official in the Ministry of War named Yu Qian; Your Majesty may entrust him with military affairs—cough, cough..."

Yang Shiqi had spoken too many words at once; his spirit was weak. He gazed earnestly at the Emperor, hoping for some promise from him.

Zhu Qizhen patted his hand: "Teacher, rest and recover. We will discuss these matters after you are well."

Yang Shiqi understood. He slumped back against the pillow, smiled faintly at the Emperor, and whispered: "Very well."

Zhu Qizhen saw the tears in his eyes and felt a pang of sorrow; he tightened his grip on his hand and whispered: "Teacher, there are many ways to punish Yang Ji severely—exile, imprisonment, all are possible. As long as you recover, I will agree to all of them."

Tears slipped silently from the corners of his eyes. Yang Shiqi was heartbroken beyond words, only staring at the Emperor in silence.

Zhu Qizhen sat for a long time, hearing not another word from Yang Shiqi. He seemed utterly exhausted; he loosened his grip on Yang Shiqi's hand, and his breathing grew faint.

Zhu Qizhen was terrified and immediately summoned the imperial physicians.

After feeling his pulse, the physician could only say: "Rest is essential."

Zhu Qizhen could only order Yang Shiqi to rest more.

As soon as he left, the physician whispered to the old steward: "Prepare the household for the worst."

The old steward burst into tears: "Please, Physician, lend your aid—our Second Master is on his way back to the capital; at least, at least let our Grand Master see him once."

The physician sighed: "I will do my best—but… ah, how many days until he arrives?"

The old steward quickly calculated: "By timing, he will arrive no later than the day after tomorrow."

The physician's face darkened with difficulty; the old steward's heart turned cold—did that mean he had no more than two days?

Yang Shiqi made a sound inside the room; the old steward quickly wiped his tears and forced a smile as he entered.

Yang Shiqi said: "Prepare ink and brush—I must write several letters."

But even speaking was difficult for him, let alone writing; the brush trembled in his hand, and for a long while he could not form a single complete character.

Yang Shiqi had never imagined one day he would be unable to speak clearly, unable even to write.

He froze in silence.

The old steward ventured softly: "Grand Master, may I write for you?"

Yang Shiqi looked up at him, then slowly shook his head. The old steward turned pale, knowing he no longer trusted him because of Yang Ji, and said nothing, only helped him back to bed.

Until the setting sun's rays streamed through the window onto him, Yang Shiqi murmured: "I forgot to write two recommendation letters for that boy…"

The sunset on the horizon burned red as fire; vast swathes of crimson clouds, shaped and reshaped by the wind, soon filled half the sky.

Pan Yun watched, and the Three Treasures Cauldron involuntarily flew westward; fortunately, Pan Xiaohei was online and immediately jumped around shouting: "Wrong direction! Wrong direction—"

The Three Treasures Cauldron spun halfway in midair and returned to its course.

Pan Xiaohei chattered: "You can see it just by turning your head—why fly straight at it?"

Pan Yun stared at the western sunset and said solemnly: "Today's sunset is dazzlingly brilliant, yet I feel like crying."

Pan Xiaohei: "You've got wind-sensitive eyes? The wind blew into them?"

"Shut up, I—"

Pan Yun's heart snapped alert; she shifted her intent, and the Three Treasures Cauldron shot upward and veered sharply left—a flash of cold light shot from between the treetops, grazing the bottom of the cauldron.

Pan Yun leapt to her feet and looked down.

One mistake—one launch—one inside—one content—one look!

A giant bird shot out of the forest in a blur and lunged straight at her.

Pan Yun immediately formed a hand seal; the Three Treasures Cauldron instantly transformed—crack, crack—the bottom panel dropped, the top panel snapped shut, forming a sealed pot.

Pan Yun showed no fear; she clenched her seal and the Three Treasures Cauldron accelerated like a cannonball, spun halfway in midair, then reversed direction and shot straight toward the giant bird…

So it's a collision?

Who's afraid of whom?

Boom—the sound echoed inside the pot; Pan Xiaohei bounced violently, dizzy and disoriented; Pan Yun planted her feet firmly, slapped the pot's side, and with a crack, a viewing slit opened in the wall—she peered out.

Outside was darkness; she saw black bird feathers pressed tightly against the pot's surface.

Pan Yun realized the Three Treasures Cauldron had been seized by the giant bird.

Pan Yun snorted, formed a hand seal, and slammed the pot hard—she poured out her Yuan energy; the Three Treasures Cauldron clicked twice, then burst outward with sharp spines—the once-pumpkin-shaped pot instantly became a hedgehog pot.

Pan Yun heard a shrill cry, filled with agony.

She reached out, and a sword appeared in her hand; at the same moment, the top panel of the Three Treasures Cauldron opened. She was about to leap out with her blade to kill the bird—when a sword qi struck her; she instantly swung her sword to block it.

Only then did she notice: a man was hiding on the bird's back. As the bird was wounded and began to fall, and as she opened the top panel, he leapt from its back and charged straight at her.

Pan Yun blocked his killing strike with one sword, while her left hand shot forward—a fireball hurtled toward his face.

He instantly rolled backward and vanished beyond the Three Treasures Cauldron.

Pan Yun seized the chance to command the Three Treasures Cauldron to fly away, while the bottom panel rose, granting her full view of the battlefield.

"A man and a bird? You're not allies of that giant eagle, are you?"

The opponent's flying sword fell beneath his feet, and he stood steady.

Pan Yun's pupils contracted as she looked. "First Marquis, who are you?"

"Junior, you dare to strike to kill without even knowing who I am — bold!"

Pan Yun said, none too pleased: "You were already killing your way right up to my face — what's the problem with me killing you?" (End of chapter)